Mansarovar pilgrimage fee hiked

TT, Gangtok, May 6: The Chinese government has increased the fees of the Mansarovar yatra by $200 for each pilgrim from this year.

The list of 350 pilgrims selected for the journey was published today.

"As per communication received from the central government, this year, there has been an increase in the yatra fee on the Chinese side. Earlier, each pilgrim had to pay $1,400 (total cost for the entire journey). From this year, one has to pay $1,600," said state tourism secretary Chewang Zangpo.

One has to pay half of the yatra cost in Delhi. The other half has to be paid in USD at Yatung in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, around 33km from Nathu-la.

The amount has gone up because the Chinese government has increased the fee it charges by $200 (around Rs 13,000). An official said the total cost of the yatra would be little over Rs 1,05,000 now. Earlier, one had to pay around Rs 93,000. The cost covers transportation, food, accommodation and entry and environment fees among others.

Asked about the reason for increasing the fee, Zangpo said: "From this year, the support staff would be provided by the Chinese government. Last year, the staff was from India."

The trip is organised by the ministry of external affairs and the first batch of 50 pilgrims will leave Delhi on June 9.

The list of the 350 pilgrims has been published on the website kmy.gov.in.